Flash Flood in Eddy County, New Mexico

Heavy rain fell across Eddy County and produced flash flooding near Whites City. Two vehicles were washed off of Whites City Road about 0.9 miles east northeast of Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center. The two vehicles were trying to cross a low lying section of the road when the flood waters caused the vehicles to lose control. The driver of the first vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle swam to safety. The passenger of the second vehicle was reported missing and the body was later found. This flooding resulted in one fatality. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.

There was moisture coming into the region from Tropical Storm Odile over northern Mexico/southern New Mexico. This made the air mass very moist. Upper level disturbances were moving over the area from Odile which increased atmospheric lift. The air was also unstable, especially for areas that received sunshine during the day. These conditions allowed for rain and thunderstorms to develop across areas that had already received good rainfall allowing for flash flooding.